The Colligan’s new season “Hard Road to Liberty: Ohio and the Civil War got off to a flying start last Tuesday, with Kelli Johnson’s innovative and gripping discussion, The Fight Against Slavery: Lessons From History to a packed-out audience at Miami Hamilton’s Downtown Center! On October 7, the Colligan returns to the Wilks Conference Center for a round-table discussion on the legacy of John Hunt Morgan.

The John Hunt Morgan Heritage Trail memorializing the route of Confederate General Morgan and his “Raiders” in July of 1863 features markers at 56 sites in Ohio alone, connecting with trails in Indiana and Kentucky. A panel of Civil War experts explores the making of this trail, its sponsors, and how the only Civil War action on Ohio soil is remembered today.

Free public event. Reception to follow.

Conferral of a special Jim Blount History Educator Award upon Richard O Jones

Folks: Do you know a person or group who has made a significant contribution to interpreting local history, preserving our historical heritage, or increasing public historical understanding? If so, the Butler County Historical Society invites you to nominate them for the Distinguished Historian Award.

This award will be given at the Annual Meeting and Banquet of the Butler County Historical Society, November 20, 2014 to recognize those who clearly demonstrate either a distinguished pattern of achievement over time or a particular accomplishment of high merit enhancing public understanding of the history of Butler County, Ohio. Previous recipients of “Historian of the Year” are eligible for this award, along with any worthy individuals who have not previously been recognized by an award.

For details on submitting nominations by the deadline at 4 pm on October 14, 2014, see poster below.

Sunday October 5 marks the Second Caroline Scott Harrison Day, celebrating the life of US First Lady and alumna of Oxford Female Institute, Caroline Scott Harrison (1832-1892). Learn about plans for a bronze statue of Caroline on the grounds of OCAC, while enjoying cake and cider and the chance to win great door prizes at this Open House celebration. Oxford Community Arts Center, 10 S. College Avenue, Oxford, Ohio, 10/5/2014, 3-5 pm.

Hailed as the first human rights movement, the fight for abolition of slavery and the slave trade is an inspiration for freedom struggles today and relevant to the fight to eliminate slavery and human trafficking in the 21st century. Because slavery and trafficking are now illegal in every country, the continuing battle for human freedom can no longer focus solely on abolition.

This event is presented in cooperation with the Department of Justice and Community Studies and Criminal Justice Week, which this year focuses on the issues of slavery and human trafficking. Kelli has curated an exhibition on display at Miami Hamilton Downtown through September: “If I got a chance to talk to the World”: Stories of Modern Day Slavery. This exhibition presents stories told by survivors of modern-day slavery, showcasing the stories of those often described as “silent” or “invisible.”